December 3, 2021
Backpacking is travelling at its best — whether you are planning a solo trip or hiking with kids. After all, backpacking:
- Is great for those looking to travel cheaply.
- Allows you to visit multiple, exciting destinations in one trip.
- Is well-suited to both short and long-term travel.
- Satisfies your sense of adventure.
- Allows you to get up close and personal with nature.
However, backpacking can be a little more stressful than your traditional poolside vacation. This is because a successful backpacking trip requires a great deal of careful planning. Additionally, you should also ensure that you are physically prepared for the trip — especially if you plan to cover great distances during your trip.
Nevertheless, this does not take away from the fact that backpacking is a lot of fun and is an adventure that everyone should go on at least once in their lifetime.
With that in mind, here are some top tips for an unforgettable backpacking trip.
- Do your research. The first step towards planning a successful backpacking trip is deciding exactly where you want to go. For example, do you want to hike across some of the world’s best summits or wander through the foliage in forests? While it’s tempting to base your trip on a destination alone, you should also figure out whether or not the hike is right for you based on the level of difficulty. For example, if this is your first backpacking trip, you probably shouldn’t set out on a trial often tackled by experts – especially as you must operate with health and safety in mind.
- Buy the right equipment. When backpacking, for obvious reasons, you cannot take too much equipment with you, meaning that it is important you know what to carry in your backpack ahead of time so that you do not find yourself without necessary supplies when it is too late. For example, you should make sure that you buy the best backpacking hatchet or axe you can find so that you can clear away any brush or vines from your path during your trip.
- Buy the right shoes. As you can imagine, a backpacking trip means that you’re going to be spending a lot of time on your feet. As a result, you should find as many ways as possible to make hiking more comfortable and having the right footwear is the easiest way to do this. For example, having the right footwear can prevent painful blisters and provide you with the appropriate grip on rough terrain.
- Stay hydrated. We are often lectured about the importance of drinking water, however when hiking and backpacking, staying hydrated is more than just some useful advice; it is a vital survival strategy. As you will be walking a lot more, you should also be mindful that you will need a lot more water than normal — especially if you are walking in the heat. According to a recent study, you should aim to drink around half a litre of water per hour of moderate activity in moderate temperatures. As a result, you should ensure that you have plenty of water with you whenever you set out for a hike.
